Pantaloni

by Bettina Ehrlich

The story of a poor little boy who loses his dog and searches the countryside and a distant city for him, only to find that poor little Pantaloni is being confused for a wolf. Illustrated in grey wash and full color.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1957

Reviews

[Jeff Lewonczyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bittersweet story of a boy and his dog. Published in 1957, it's very steeped in a feeling of post-war European poverty, in a way that American kids' books of the time barely seem to address. There's a sense of precarity throughout, and you genuinely worry what's going to happen to the boy as he searches for his missing pup through a number of fairly dangerous situations. This tension is balanced by the loose, comfortable Bemelemans-esque painted illustrations - despite the potential peril, they're a lovely place to spend a little time.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time favourite books, along with Trovato by the same author, when I was a child and I still love reading it fifty years later! The story is simple... boy gets dog, dog disappears, boy goes searching for dog and eventually finds it... but told with such love and with beautiful illustrations that you cannot help but be moved by it. As an adult one is aware of the more subtle ideas within the story such as poverty, bullying, and mass hysteria. Most highly recommended to all ages!

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of Bettina's later books, this is one of her best.